Dobie Gray, the singer of “Drift Away,” passed away at the age of 70 on December 6, 2011. Gray had been born into a family of Texas sharecroppers in 1940 with the name Leonard Victor Ainsworth or Laurence Darrow Brown at birth.
Name and Early Career
Gray garnered the name he would make famous because of a television show character. Sonny Bono suggested to him that he change his stage name to Dobie because of the popularity of the TV show The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.
Gray had a long recording and performing career and had a 1965 hit with “The In Crowd.” In the video below, he performs the song on the ABC TV show Shindig!
“Drift Away”
Every obituary, though, will begin and end with Gray’s great 1973 song, “Drift Away.” The song became a hit again in 2003 as a duet between Gray and Uncle Kracker.
The song was originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz and numerous artists have covered it through the years. Still, for me, Gray’s version of “Drift Away” is one of the greatest songs of all time.
Songwriter Mentor Williams wrote “Drift Away” in the early 1970s when rock and roll was at less than its peak. Many saw the song as a reminder about why rock music should continue.
In The Heart of Rock & Soul
Below Gray performs “Drift Away” live.
“Drift Away” is one of those rare songs that makes you happy whenever or wherever you hear it, and it would not be the same without Gray’s voice. Unlike Kurtz’s earlier version that sang about “the” rock and roll, Gray sings about wanting to get lost in “your” rock and roll. And you believe him, and you believe it is “your” music too.
When Gray calls for the beat, it frees your soul. So even on a sad day, Gray’s voice reminds me of why I love music so much.
Thanks for the joy you’ve given me;
I want you to know that I believe in your song;
And rhythm, and rhyme, and harmony;
You helped me along . . .
What do you think of “Drift Away”? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)
One thought on “Dobie Gray: Thanks for the Joy You’ve Given Me”